Separated bikeway along the Embarcadero: Open house meeting Thursday, July 24 at 6 PM

A bike lane laces most of the roadway of the Embarcadero in either direction, but it’s not complete, and sections like the Third Street Bridge are less than ideal, to put it mildly.

Casual riders and family-style tourists often don’t feel safe on the bike lane, so they ride along the promenade itself. This is perfectly legal, btw: The promenade along San Francisco’s waterfront is a shared-use path, which means both pedestrians and bicycles are allowed to use it, from Third Street to the south going north to Powell and Jefferson streets. (There is some signage that declares this, but not enough.)

Cyclists and peds usually co-exist on this popular stretch without a second thought: the path is expansive and there’s plenty of room. But in some parts it can get congested, with cyclists traveling in both directions trying to weave around pedestrians.

This situation can be improved — and you can attend an open house meeting Thursday, July 24 at 6 PM, to find out what might be in store for the Embarcadero: